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Automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control methodRelated Patent Categories: Music, Instruments, Electrical Musical Tone Generation, Data Storage, Digital Memory Circuit (e.g., Ram, Rom, Etc.), Note SequenceAutomatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060225562, Automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus which is capable of editing automatic performance data and reproducing the edited automatic performance data, a control method therefor, and a program for implementing the control method. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Conventionally, there have been known automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatuses which are capable of editing automatic performance data and reproducing the edited automatic performance data. [0005] Such automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatuses include one which is capable of editing a plurality of kinds of accompaniment pattern data and automatically reproducing the edited accompaniment pattern data (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H05-232938, for example). [0006] The above conventional automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, however, has the disadvantage that accompaniment pattern data read into the apparatus can be freely edited, and hence even if accompaniment pattern data to be edited is one created by a third party other than a person who is trying to edit the data and the third party does not want other persons to use the accompaniment pattern data to be edited, the accompaniment pattern data can be freely edited against the third party's intension. [0007] Also, automatic performance data on which usage limitations are imposed (typically copy protected) are distributed, but such usage limitations are intended for the whole of automatic performance data, not for part of the automatic performance data. It is therefore impossible to deal with a case where only part of automatic performance data is copyrighted and a case where a copyright holder of automatic performance data intends to copyright only part of automatic performance data (that is, the rest of the automatic performance data is allowed to be freely used by third parties) since a usage limitation is imposed on the whole of automatic performance data. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus and a control method therefor which can achieve harmony between a copyright holder of automatic performance data and users thereof, as well as a program for implementing the control method. [0009] To attain the above object, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus comprising a storage device that stores automatic performance data comprising a plurality of pieces of part performance data and stores identifiers indicative of whether the part performance data is data of which reproduction is to be limited, the identifiers being attached to at least part of the plurality of pieces of part performance data, a readout device that read out at least part of the plurality of pieces of part performance data stored in the storage device, an editing device that edits the part performance data read out by the readout device, and a reproducing device that reproduces the automatic performance data including the part performance data edited by the editing device, wherein in a case where part performance data to be edited turns out to be data of which reproduction is to be limited with reference to an identifier thereof, in editing the part performance data to be edited, the editing device generates a condition for removing a limitation on the reproduction of the part performance data and attaches the generated condition to the edited part performance data, and if the condition is satisfied, the reproducing device removes the limitation on the reproduction of the part performance data to reproduce the part performance data with the condition attached thereto. [0010] With the arrangement of the automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatuses in the first aspect of the present invention, in the case where part performance data to be edited is data of which reproduction should be limited with reference to an identifier thereof, in editing the part performance data to be edited, a condition for removing the limitation on the reproduction of the part performance data is generated and attached to the edited part performance data, and if the condition is satisfied, the limitation on the reproduction of the part performance data is removed to reproduce the part performance data. As a result, it is possible to achieve harmony between a right holder of automatic performance data and users thereof. [0011] Preferably, the readout device reads out a copy of original part performance data while leaving the original part performance data as it is, and the editing device edits the copy of the original part performance data read out by the readout device, and in a case where the condition is generated, generates a condition that the original part performance data is stored in the automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus. [0012] More preferably, the readout device reads out the copy of the original part performance data edited by the editing device, and the editing device edits the edited copy of the original part performance data read out by the readout device, and in a case where the condition is generated, generates a condition that the original part performance data is stored in the automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus. [0013] Preferably, the automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus further comprises a selecting device that selects either one of a forced reproduction mode and a normal reproduction mode, and in reproducing the automatic performance data including the part performance data with the condition attached thereto, the reproducing device limits reproduction of the part performance data with the condition attached thereto when the condition is unsatisfied and the forced reproduction mode is selected by the selecting device, and carries out normal reproduction of other part performance data, and on the other hand, limits reproduction of the entire automatic performance data when the condition is unsatisfied and the normal reproduction mode is selected by the selecting device. [0014] Preferably, the plurality of pieces of part performance data include part performance data used for an introduction part of a musical composition, part performance data used for a main part of the musical composition, part performance data used for break parts of the musical composition, and part performance data used for an ending part of the musical composition. [0015] Preferably, the contents of the identifiers are set by a creator of the automatic performance data. [0016] To attain the above object, in a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, comprising a readout step of reading out at least part of a plurality of pieces of part performance data stored in a storage device that stores automatic performance data comprising a plurality of pieces of part performance data and stores identifiers indicative of whether the part performance data is data of which reproduction is to be limited, the identifiers being attached to at least part of the plurality of pieces of part performance data, an editing step of editing the part performance data read out in the readout step, and a reproducing step of reproducing the automatic performance data including the part performance data edited in the editing step, wherein in a case where part performance data to be edited turns out to be data of which reproduction is to be limited with reference to an identifier thereof, in editing the part performance data to be edited, a condition for removing a limitation on the reproduction of the part performance data is generated and attached to the edited part performance data in the editing step, and in the reproducing step, if the condition is satisfied, the limitation on the reproduction of the part performance data is removed to reproduce the part performance data with the condition attached thereto. [0017] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those obtained by the automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained. [0018] To attain the above object, in a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to the second aspect of the present invention. [0019] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those obtained by the automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained. [0020] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the arrangement of an automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about Automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method... Full patent description for Automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Waveform data processing apparatus Next Patent Application: Adjuster for relative position between actuators and objects, automatic player equipped therewith and musical instrument having the same Industry Class: Music ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Automatic performance data editing and reproducing apparatus, control method therefor, and program for implementing the control method patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.10065 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
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